Marina upgrading docks

At its regular meeting Thursday, Port District No. 1 commissioners Larry Bonds and Brett Deaton voted to borrow $275,000 from Wahkiakum County to replace the remaining portion of "F" Dock and rebuild "E" Dock.

The port will pay .68 percent interest for the first year of the five year loan. “With that interest, we had to go ahead,” Commissioner Deaton said.

"E" dock is used for temporary moorage and has deteriorated. “There’s liability if someone falls and we knew about it,” Bonds said.

The commissioners voted to declare the needed repairs an emergency, which exempts the process from competitive bidding, and authorized Port Manager Jackie Lea to proceed.

November is the next window for in-stream work, Lea said.

Visitors will soon have new barbecue pits and free Wi-Fi. Bonds arranged a donation of 10 logging truck rims from Jerry DeBriae that can be used for the barbecue pits. The commissioners also agreed to provide Wi-Fi to guests at no charge.

“There’s no charge, everywhere I go,” Bonds said. “I think we should do it.”

“We’re in the 21st Century,” Deaton agreed.

Lea discussed grant funding to replace an aging marine pump out station. The port was denied 100 percent funding, but they may be eligible for a 75 percent grant. Commissioners directed Lea to follow up with an application.